Hundreds ride in remembrance of lives lost due to child abuse

Local bikers and car enthusiasts revved up their engines for a good cause this weekend.

About 300 people showed up for the annual Memory Ride and Candelight Vigil Sunday, to ride in memory of the 212 children that died in Texas last year due to child abuse and neglect.

"Lubbock is one of the highest-rated counties in the state of Texas for child abuse cases, and I think enough is enough, Stephanie Brady, with the Family Guidance and Outreach Center of Lubbock, said. "We need to put a stop to this and stand up, and pull our community together. Lubbock is a great place to live, and it's just unimaginable that they would have such a high rate of child abuse."

She said four children are abused in Lubbock every day.

"Bringing so many people together for such a great cause is going to cause a scene, and that's what we're trying to do, is have everybody in town where people say, 'What are all these people coming together for?' They're coming together to say we've had enough, we want to raise awareness about child abuse, and we want to put a stop to it," Brady said.

Scott Kimball has been riding motorcycles for more than 30 years, and said this is a great way to bring attention to the issue.

"Knowing the statistics of child abuse, and the specific statistic that Lubbock is so high on the list of cases, something has to be done. And this is a good place to start," Kimball said.

The crowd started at Mackenzie Park, and ended at Second Baptist Church for the candlelight vigil. The event is one of many leading up to the Blue Ribbon Rally, which will take place on April 27 in the Depot District.